Sundance, Oscars, & Meeting Up

Happy Friday, Dear Listener!

January- what feels like arguably the longest month of the year- is almost over.The Sundance Film Festival kicked off last Thursday and ends this Sunday.

Everyone is eager to see what sales come out of the festival and can inject Hollywood with a dose of hope and enthusiasm.  Indiewire has a full list of all the sales so far, but two of the splashiest include first-time filmmaker Greg Jardin's thriller "It's What's Inside" which Netflix scooped for $17M and  "A Real Pain" directed by and starring Jesse Eisenberg which sold to Searchlight for $10M.

The Oscar nominations also were revealed this week. Many, myself included, were shook by the omission of Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the women behind the 8 time Oscar nominated "Barbie" film. I guess Hollywood Is Still One Big Mojo Dojo Casa House...Sigh. There are some victories though. We can celebrate the vast diversity in the acting categories and that fact that Greta is the FIRST woman to have directed three Best Picture nominees.

I'm personally thrilled about America Ferrara, Coleman Domingo, my boo Sterling K Brown, and the queen herself, Lily Gladstone who made history as the first Native American nominated for best actress.

We'll be recording with exciting guests in the upcoming weeks and are jazzed to stuff your ears with some new episodes soon.

As you know, AOP is a pure labor of labor. If it's doable for you, I hope you'll consider supporting it by buying me a coffee. ☕☕☕ 

Thanks for listening, for being a part of my journey, and for doing this life thing with me!

OUR FIRST IN PERSON EVENT!

As we teased last week, 2024 will kick off in person gatherings! We are easing into it with some casual drinks and convo for those that are local to Los Angeles. Many have expressed a desire to meet up, grab coffee, sip wine, Zoom, chat, go for a walk, etc. This is a wonderful way to create time and space for us to connect.Whether you're an AOP enthusiast or simply curious about producing, this event is perfect for you! Mingle, make connections, and learn from each other. And who knows, previous podcast guests may even make an appearance!

RSVP VIA THIS LINK

PRODUCER’S CORNER

Biggest Challenges for 2024 Sundance Creators (and How They Overcame Them) [No Film School]

6 Ways to Improve your Listening Skills. Anywhere Esther Perel goes, I will follow.  [Link]

Don’t worry less. Worry smarter. [Washington Post]

GRANTS & FUNDS

Proof of Concept - Dirty Films, Netflix and the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative are providing $50,000 to 8 filmmakers whose stories promote the perspectives of women, trans, and non-binary people. Deadline 2/16/24 [apply]

Antigravity Academy Screenwriters Camp  - Designed to help up to 5 emerging filmmakers (or writing teams) develop and package their first features. Deadline 1/30/24 [apply]

ICYMI / SHARED LAST WEEKFilm Independent Imaginar TV Incubator for Fearless Latinx Creators -  A two-week program built to further the careers of Latinx creators in dramatic television. Comes with a $3,000 grant. Deadline 2/2/24 [apply]

Sundance Institute Sandbox Fund - Supports innovative nonfiction projects that inspire a deeper interest in scientific inquiry. Deadline 2/5/24 [apply]

Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship - Yearlong fellowship open to emerging documentary and fiction filmmakers ages 18-25. Deadline 2/7/24 [apply]

"Everything happens for a reason' is something that we have to tell ourselves all the time, because it's good to have the idea that something good is around the corner.” 

– Margot Robbie